My friend put a couple of her horses on it and says she wishes she did it years ago. Sounds great, but I’d love to hear other people’s experiences with it as well. Have you tried it and did it work? Any negative effects?
TIA
Perfect Prep Training Day
I use it and love it, the powder. Have other friends who use both the powder and the paste.
Just heard someone talking about it at a show the other day. She said she used it once and is a HUGE fan. She was recommending it to everyone with a hot horse.
I use this regularly on my horses who are a little “hot” or don’t adjust to new settings well, mostly hunters. It’s a miracle to be quite honest. It doesn’t alter the horse in a negative way to me or seem to make them uneasy, if anything I just notice more focus, less nervous energy and all round a better performance because of these two things. I have a pony we just started using this on at horse shows, he’s a great teacher but has been known to rush to the fences, run through corners and be quite unpleasant in new settings and occasionally at home. He’s the wake up and never settle type. Our first time using it on him was during a horse show. I was quite nervous about one of my younger riders riding him and was shocked to see the drastic change. He was very steady with his pace, put up with the mistakes very well, complete change of performance. I had another horse, a lazy children’s hunter who tended to wake up quite a bit at horse shows, same positive change with him. Have had a few horses that needed a couple days off, rather than “medicating” them for a less wild ride I used Perfect Prep and for the most part produced the same change as “medicating” with less lethargy and uneasiness. I can’t say anything but positive things about this product.
I use the paste, usually Perfect Prep Extreme. Have not tried the powder yet as this is not a product I use daily, or even weekly. I may consider it.
I know someone who uses it on her little mare, she’s quite THE MARE type, if you know what I mean, it settles her nicely to show in hand.
IS no one bothered by GR 410, which states
“…For purposes
of this rule, a forbidden substance is:
a. Any stimulant, depressant, tranquilizer, local anesthetic, psychotropic (mood and/or
behavior altering) substance, or drug which might affect the performance of a horse
and/or pony (stimulants and/or depressants are defined as substances which stimulate
or depress the cardiovascular, respiratory or central nervous systems), or any
metabolite and/or analogue of any such substance or drug, except as expressly
permitted by this rule.” ?
Really?
[QUOTE=Madeline;6522063]
IS no one bothered by GR 410, which states
“…For purposes
of this rule, a forbidden substance is:
a. Any stimulant, depressant, tranquilizer, local anesthetic, psychotropic (mood and/or
behavior altering) substance, or drug which might affect the performance of a horse
and/or pony (stimulants and/or depressants are defined as substances which stimulate
or depress the cardiovascular, respiratory or central nervous systems), or any
metabolite and/or analogue of any such substance or drug, except as expressly
permitted by this rule.” ?
Really?[/QUOTE]
Exactly what I was thinking. Cheating is cheating.
Perfect Prep ingredients:
Magnesium
Taurine
Inositol
Thiamine
L Tryptophan
Amino Propanoic Acid
USEF Drugs and Medications Guidelines
“…the Federation cautions most strongly against the
use of so-called herbal and natural products, the ingredients and properties
of which are not known. In this regard trainers should be most skeptical
about any claims by manufacturers or others that their preparation is
“legal” or permissible for use at competitions recognized by the Federation or the FEI. Trainers should be aware that ingredients labeling for such
preparations is often not complete or accurate. Especially suspect are
preparations that are claimed to calm or relax while at the same time being
said to contain no forbidden or prohibited substances.”
Link to full 2012 USEF Drugs and Medications Guidelines.
http://www.usef.org/issuu/flipbook.ashx?docname=drugsmedsguidelines2012&pdfurl=http://www.usef.org/documents/drugsMeds/DrugsMedsGuidelines2012.pdf
[QUOTE=svf86;6521910]
I use this regularly on my horses who are a little “hot” or don’t adjust to new settings well, mostly hunters. It’s a miracle to be quite honest. It doesn’t alter the horse in a negative way to me or seem to make them uneasy, if anything I just notice more focus, less nervous energy and all round a better performance because of these two things. I have a pony we just started using this on at horse shows, he’s a great teacher but has been known to rush to the fences, run through corners and be quite unpleasant in new settings and occasionally at home. He’s the wake up and never settle type. Our first time using it on him was during a horse show. I was quite nervous about one of my younger riders riding him and was shocked to see the drastic change. He was very steady with his pace, put up with the mistakes very well, complete change of performance. I had another horse, a lazy children’s hunter who tended to wake up quite a bit at horse shows, same positive change with him. Have had a few horses that needed a couple days off, rather than “medicating” them for a less wild ride I used Perfect Prep and for the most part produced the same change as “medicating” with less lethargy and uneasiness. I can’t say anything but positive things about this product.
I use the paste, usually Perfect Prep Extreme. Have not tried the powder yet as this is not a product I use daily, or even weekly. I may consider it.[/QUOTE]
How is using this substance different than the “medicating” that you’ve done? No needle?
You are medicating when you use “Perfect Prep”, surely you know this…
[QUOTE=pds;6522130]
Exactly what I was thinking. Cheating is cheating.
Perfect Prep ingredients:
Magnesium
Taurine
Inositol
Thiamine
L Tryptophan
Amino Propanoic Acid
USEF Drugs and Medications Guidelines
“…the Federation cautions most strongly against the
use of so-called herbal and natural products, the ingredients and properties
of which are not known. In this regard trainers should be most skeptical
about any claims by manufacturers or others that their preparation is
“legal” or permissible for use at competitions recognized by the Federation or the FEI. Trainers should be aware that ingredients labeling for such
preparations is often not complete or accurate. Especially suspect are
preparations that are claimed to calm or relax while at the same time being
said to contain no forbidden or prohibited substances.”[/QUOTE]
Legality of Perfect Prep aside, I would like to point out that Magnesium has valid uses other than calming. My horse has to stay on a magnesium supplement because otherwise his muscles get so tight that they visibly spasm. The magnesium plus vit E and selenium keeps him loose and comfortable…and able to do simple tasks like walk, stand for the farrier, etc. I would not say that that magnesium makes him “calm” or anything like that…just helps with his muscle issue (which is suspected PSSM, btw - hard to test for in a TB - requires a muscle biopsy, so we just treat him as though he has it and he has responded very well).
And USEF makes a distinction for legitimate theraputic needs.
“After a horse or pony has been administered any product containing a
forbidden substance, and before the animal is returned to competition,
the following requirements must be met:”
-
The product must be used for a legitimate therapeutic purpose only.
The rule accommodates the use of a forbidden substance for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury only. If a forbidden substance is administered for any other purpose, e.g., clipping, shipping, training, the animal
must be kept out of competition until the forbidden substance is no longer
detectable in the animal’s blood or urine sample. This can be a long time
(see HOW LONG DRUGS REMAIN DETECTABLE below). -
After a horse or pony has been administered for a therapeutic purpose
any product containing a forbidden substance, the animal must be withdrawn from competition for at least 24 hours. This is a uniform requirement
for all therapeutic forbidden substances, and there are no exceptions. -
A written medication report must be filed documenting the therapeutic
use of a forbidden substance. A medication report form should be obtained
from the steward or technical delegate, filled out completely, and turned in
to the steward or technical delegate within the time required. All this must
be done within one hour of the earliest opportunity.
How long after treatment of any illness or injury is it necessary to file a written medication report? It is necessary for as long as the drug might remain
detectable in a horse’s or pony’s blood or urine (see HOW LONG DRUGS
REMAIN DETECTABLE on page 11).
Magnesium is not a forbidden substance (or a drug). Note that I am NOT advocating injectable magnesium, which is a whole different kettle of (dangerous) fish, but oral magnesium is neither forbidden nor dangerous.
I know people who use this for both eventers and hunters and have sworn by it. My own horse is on it, but nowhere near the recommended dosage because it makes him feel a little too sluggish. I put him on it because we’re having some anxiety issues with him right now and while we try to train through it and get to the bottom of it, it seems to make him a little more comfortable.
[QUOTE=FineAlready;6522219]
Magnesium is not a forbidden substance (or a drug). Note that I am NOT advocating injectable magnesium, which is a whole different kettle of (dangerous) fish, but oral magnesium is neither forbidden nor dangerous.[/QUOTE]
True, but if it (or any other drug for that matter, forbidden or not) is being used to “a. Any stimulant, depressant, tranquilizer, local anesthetic, psychotropic (mood and/or
behavior altering) substance, or drug which might affect the performance of a horse
and/or pony (stimulants and/or depressants are defined as substances which stimulate
or depress the cardiovascular, respiratory or central nervous systems), or any
metabolite and/or analogue of any such substance or drug, except as expressly permitted by this rule.”
It IS a forbidden substance. Does not have to be on “the list.”
[QUOTE=HRF Second Chance;6522222]
I know people who use this for both eventers and hunters and have sworn by it. My own horse is on it, but nowhere near the recommended dosage because it makes him feel a little too sluggish. I put him on it because we’re having some anxiety issues with him right now and while we try to train through it and get to the bottom of it, it seems to make him a little more comfortable.[/QUOTE]
No harm, nor foul as long as you are not using it during competition.
[QUOTE=Madeline;6522063]
IS no one bothered by GR 410, which states
“…For purposes
of this rule, a forbidden substance is:
a. Any stimulant, depressant, tranquilizer, local anesthetic, psychotropic (mood and/or
behavior altering) substance, or drug which might affect the performance of a horse
and/or pony (stimulants and/or depressants are defined as substances which stimulate
or depress the cardiovascular, respiratory or central nervous systems), or any
metabolite and/or analogue of any such substance or drug, except as expressly
permitted by this rule.” ?
Really?[/QUOTE]
Of course not! Why should they be bothered by a little thing like the rules? They’re speshul snowflakes and their speshul snowflake horses can’t possibly be expected to compete clean! They’re speshul!
[QUOTE=pds;6522252]
True, but if it (or any other drug for that matter, forbidden or not) is being used to “a. Any stimulant, depressant, tranquilizer, local anesthetic, psychotropic (mood and/or
behavior altering) substance, or drug which might affect the performance of a horse
and/or pony (stimulants and/or depressants are defined as substances which stimulate
or depress the cardiovascular, respiratory or central nervous systems), or any
metabolite and/or analogue of any such substance or drug, except as expressly permitted by this rule.”
It IS a forbidden substance. Does not have to be on “the list.”[/QUOTE]
I’m familiar with the rules. However, I don’t really think that the “therapeutic administration” rule applies to magnesium because it is a naturally occuring non-drug that is not really “prescribed” by a vet…i.e., I’m not sure how you would “document” its therapeutic use. I don’t think you have to report it, etc.
But actually, I’m getting pretty tired of the same old debate, so I’m done having this discussion. It’s been discussed OVER and OVER and OVER. Considering the fact that I am fully aware of and have witnessed firsthand some of the horrible things that some h/j trainers give to their horses, I’m really not all that worried about something like Perfect Prep. If USEF wants to outright ban Perfect Prep they can certainly do so. It has been around a long time, and I’m sure USEF is aware of it. That would bring a lot of clarity to the situation, for sure.
Also, note that the OP said nothing about using Perfect Prep for showing purposes, so you are really making a lot of presumptions.
And honestly while I do understand the need for the rules and they do get abused, I find it deeply amusing that it seems widely acceptable for human to take a mood altering drug to enhance their performance as a rider. Got show anxiety? Take a Xanix.
But if the horse is upset giving them a ‘mothers little helper’ makes them ‘training with a needle’. Meanwhile they likely popped a pill to alter their own mood. Or gave their own children a pill to keep them calm and focused at school.
I’m by no means saying drug your horses FWIW. I actually don’t even like taking Advil but sometimes it’s just unavoidable.
[QUOTE=FineAlready;6522277]
Also, note that the OP said nothing about using Perfect Prep for showing purposes, so you are really making a lot of presumptions.[/QUOTE]
The OP said may not have mentioned using PP for showing but at least one other poster has. See post #4…
Don’t see anything wrong with it or anything else for occasional use at home or even at shows outside of show days for one that’s upset. It happens.
But, like anything else, if you go to it all the time? You need to examine what you are doing or the suitability of the horse for what it is doing and who is riding it.
As a rider, if one was making me anxious at shows? I either stayed home until it schooled out or replaced it with a more suitable horse for this rider.
Works better then Xanax but nothing is more addicting then a nice, suitable horse.
Sometimes think we try to make everything happen too quick these days and too many are reluctant to just go to a more suitable horse and rely on a little “help” too often.
I’m more meaning people who use a little helper to just have the courage to show in general.
But I do agree with you on all points. We try to make things happen to fast, and try to bypass the system.
I personally am at the point of ‘is this horse right for me’ right now. But current trainers want me to try to work the problem and give it a chance before rethinking the process.
